2 Corinthians 10:7-18 study Guide: Boasting in the Lord

Community Group Study Guide — Boasting in the Lord

2 Corinthians 10:7-18

Study Information:

Having opposition is a fact of life, and often opposition comes most quickly for doing something right. This can be especially common if you are in a position of leadership. Often leadership includes having power and authority and many desire power for the wrong reasons. Some of us have reacted to this by avoiding power altogether, but what we see in our passage today is that power and authority is more like electricity than a lion. Both are dangerous, but if you view power like a lion on the street the goal is to get that lion in a cage as quickly as possible, but electricity is something that we can harness for the benefit of others. Why did God give someone like Paul authority and what is authority’s purpose?

In 2 Corinthians 10:7-18 Paul contrasted his view on authority with the false teachers, namely that Paul used authority to build others up and the false teachers used it to destroy.

Authority and Confidence

2 Corinthians 10:7-12

Paul was called by Jesus to bring the gospel to the gentiles and that gave him authority as a missionary, pastor, church planter and Apostle. Yet that position was opposed by a group of false teachers who infiltrated the Corinthian church and questioned Paul’s authority and leadership. Look at 2 Corinthians 10:7, Paul began by reminding them of where our confidence should be, in Christ! But the false teachers questioned whether Paul was even called by Jesus and they questioned his methods. They criticized Paul’s “severe letter” as being self serving with the intent to frighten the Corinthians. These false teachers even went as far as to say Paul was harsh in his letters but in person he was weak and his words were of no account(2 Cor 10:10).

One of the big differences, apart from theological error, between Paul and the false teachers was their view of power. One of the main cultural narratives in Corinth was the idea that power was a sign of blessing and calling. Paul wrote against this in 1 Corinthian 1:26-2:5 and it will be a major theme in 2 Corinthians 11-12. We get a clear view of Paul’s understanding of power in 2 Corinthians 10:8. Paul addressed their criticism that he talked about power too much but also said that he was not ashamed (2 Cor 10:8). Why was Paul not ashamed? Because he was given that authority for the building up of others, not destroying. The word “destroy” was earlier applied to Paul’s ministry of tearing down arguments and loft opinions raised against the knowledge of God (2 Cor 10:5). Paul’s severe letter was not designed to tear them down, destroy or frighten, Paul used his authority to build up the church and to help them walk in freedom from sin. Power is not an inherently bad thing, sure it comes with unique temptations, but power with humility can lead to a tremendous amount of good as the one with humility and power uses it to build up others.

The false teachers could not use power appropriately because they were enamored with commending themselves (2 Cor 10:12). They would actually measure themselves against each other to find their value. This kind of comparison is something that we can easily be tempted to do as we look around at one another instead of looking to find our confidence in Christ (2 Cor 10:7).

Ministry in the Church

2 Corinthians 7:13-18

Instead of comparing himself to the other teachers to find his commendation, Paul desired to fulfill his ministry calling. We see this in three ways that each show how power is to be used to bless others.

First, Paul recognized his unique call and his own limits (2 Cor 10:13-15). Paul’s unique calling to be a missionary and church planter in the ancient world had God given limits. This calling was from God and who directed their steps to Corinth where they were the first to share the gospel. They were not the only ones ministering either, God had called others to hep increase the faith of these early Christians, and in that Paul rejoiced. Yet, Paul was still the apostle to this church and as their faith expanded so did Paul’s responsibility and ministry to guard the truth of sound doctrine among them.

Second, ministry in the church includes mission (2 Cor 10:16). Paul’s goal was to not just preach the gospel to the Corinthians and call it a day, he desired that the gospel would go to other land as well. Every healthy church looks outside its own walls. Remember, the proper use of power is not to be self-serving but to build up others and that includes how we think about loving our neighbor, building up other churches and sending out missionaries to bring the gospel to places where Christ is not yet named. At this time, there were many places that had no access to God’s word or the gospel and so Paul and his companions were on a mission. Remember back to the beginning of our study in 2 Corinthians, one of their complaints against Paul was how he did not come back to visit them like Paul had promised, but while they were complaining about Paul he was busy being persecuted and “burdened beyond his strength” while ministering to other places and other churches (2 Cor 1:8). Someone with a wrong view of power looks to build themself up rather than to bless others.

Finally, Christian ministry finds its confidence in the Lord (2 Cor 10:17-18). Whereas the false teachers commended themselves and put confidence in the flesh and used power to build up their following, Paul and his associates boasted in the Lord and found their approval from Christ alone. That is probably why Paul could weather the accusations and criticisms so well, he was commended by God and found his security and satisfaction in Christ. We can boast in many things and create a resume of accomplishments, but at the end of the day the one opinion that matters most in Christ’s.

When you think about power and the proper use of power, what area of your life comes to mind? Likely you have a few places of authority and God has called you there to build up others with that power. At the same time we fight the temptation to compare ourselves to others for commendation and seek the Lord’s approval above all. Is there a specific way you can use your power to bless a coworker, a child in your family, someone you serve with at church or someone in our community? In Christ we see the ultimate example of someone using their power to bless another in that he died for us sinners so that we may have life in him. Paul understood this and it motivated and empowered his ministry and the more we grasp that the more we will be willing to give and serve others.

At your community group:

Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.

How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week?

Discussion Questions:

2 Corinthians 10:7-18

What are some reasons the Lord gave Paul authority according to 2 Corinthians 10:8? How did this view of authority contrast with the false teachers?

What unique criticisms did the false teachers have about Paul and how did Paul defend himself?

Christian ministry includes a sense of call, continuing work of mission and confidence in Christ. How are all three aspects of Christian ministry others centered?

How has God given you power and authority and how can you use that to bless and build up others this week?